title: [Impulsive suicidal behavior and serotonin].
abstract: In a group of 17 suicidal patients which either had previous suicidal attempts or presented other impulsive behaviors, response to Prl, cortisol and GH to the serotonergic dl-fenfluramine agonist were studied. Suicidal patients suffering from depressive disorders were previously excluded, as well as those with psychotic disorders. The results were compared with those of a control group (n = 17) matched for sex (76.5% females and 23.5% males in both groups) and age (25.1 years old, sd: 10 for the suicidal group and 25.3 years old, sd: 8.7 for controls; t = -0.07, df = 32, p. = .47). The most significant finding were the following: 1) Response to Prl in the suicidal group was significantly lower to that of controls, as much as in absolute terms (Prl = max-baseline): 7.4 ng/ml. (sd: 10.3) vs 15.5 ng/ml (sd: 14.1) (t = -1.9, df = 32, p less than .03) as percentage wise (Prl % = max-baseline): 106.6% (sd: 108.8) vs 214% (sd: 167.6) (t = -2.22, df = 32, p. less than .02). 2) The response of cortisol in the suicidal group was significantly lower to that of controls as much as in absolute terms (Cor = max-baseline): 1.7 ng/ml (sd: 2.8) vs 5 ng/ml (sd 5.4) (t = -2.25, df = 32, p less than .02) as percentage wise (Cor % max-baseline: 11.6% (sd: 19.8) vs 47.1% (sd: 56.7) (t = -2.44, df = 32, p less than 01). Baseline concentration of cortisol in suicidal patients was significantly higher to that of the controls (17.8 ng/ml (sd: 5.6) vs 13.3 ng/ml (sd: 5.3) (t = 2.41, df = 32, p less than .01). These results are in concordance with previous ones which suggest that a serotonergic dysfunction is present in patients which carry out impulsive suicidal attempts. Besides those patients have also higher indexes of stress and of an inefficiency of coping with acute stressful situations.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Psiquiatría del Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: López-Ibor
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lana
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saiz Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000184:Acting Out; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
chemical_list: D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
vernacular_title: Conductas autolíticas impulsivas y serotonina.